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| Samoa islands head of state dies | Samoa islands head of state dies |
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| The head of state of the South Pacific nation of Samoa, Malietoa Tanumanfili II, has died at the age of 94. | The head of state of the South Pacific nation of Samoa, Malietoa Tanumanfili II, has died at the age of 94. |
| Malietoa, a traditional high chief, was appointed to his post in 1962, after Western Samoa, as was then known, gained independence from New Zealand. | Malietoa, a traditional high chief, was appointed to his post in 1962, after Western Samoa, as was then known, gained independence from New Zealand. |
| He was the third-longest serving head of state, after King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and Queen Elizabeth II. | He was the third-longest serving head of state, after King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and Queen Elizabeth II. |
| Malietoa was appointed for life, his successor will be selected by the legislature for a five-year term. | Malietoa was appointed for life, his successor will be selected by the legislature for a five-year term. |
| He died in hospital. The cause has so far not been announced. | He died in hospital. The cause has so far not been announced. |
| Samoa has a population of 182,000. There are a further 120,000 Samoans living in New Zealand. |